'Dozens' of British holidaymakers hit with sickness bug at Tenerife hotel
British holidaymakers have spoken out about their disappointment after a stomach bug has swept through the four-star Holiday Village hotel, operated by First Choice, in Tenerife.
The Holiday Hotel Watch website says that early reports suggest a number of holidaymakers have received medical treatment and that several have tested positive for the waterborne infection Cryptosporidium.
This is a parasitic bug that damages the stomach lining, causing vomiting, chronic diarrhoea and debilitating stomach cramps. In extreme cases it can even lead to organ failure and longer-term conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome.
See also: 10 of the best all-inclusive holidays for 2015
Speaking to The Sun, mum-of-three Amanda Brannen, 38, claimed First Choice reps dismissed cases at the resort as "holiday tummy".
Ms Brannen said her son Luke, eight, and daughter Bethany, four, have been ill for three days on their £4,500 two-week holiday.
She told the paper: "Every other person you meet has a sick child. There must be 50 cases."
Head of Travel Nick Harris of Simpson Millar solicitors who are handling claims for affected holidaymakers, told the Holiday Hotel Watch: "The stories I am hearing are very disturbing with reports of holidaymakers vomiting blood.
"People have been complaining to me about pools being contaminated by human faeces, which is a major cause of outbreaks of sickness at foreign hotels.
"What does concern me is that First Choice's holiday reps are advising stricken guests that the outbreak is due to a bug. This is concerning as people are being given advice that could be harmful to their health.
"I would be pleased to speak to anyone who has been affected by illness at the Tenerife Holiday Village."
Speaking to the Mirror, Nick added that it seemed the disgusting craze of 'logging' - where tourists deliberately poo in hotel swimming pools - has returned.
He said" "It seems logging by tourists has returned again this summer and is now spreading to other Holiday Village resorts.
"Holiday companies need to ensure that hygiene standards are improved and holidaymakers are not subject to water borne illnesses."
Speaking to the Daily Mail, a spokesperson for First Choice said: "We can confirm that a very small number of guests staying at the Holiday Village Tenerife reported that they had been unwell, with symptoms similar to a virus.
"First Choice closely monitors and regularly audits all the hotels to which we operate to ensure that health, hygiene and comfort levels are maintained in line with industry standards.
"As a precautionary measure the hotel has an independent expert carrying out checks.
"We would like to reassure customers that their well-being remains our priority at all times."
Related articles
100 holidaymakers hit with sickness bug at British seaside hotel
British couple receive £13k payout after Turkey holiday hotel sickness bug
